Vegan Runners take on Forest Way FKTs
By Cathy Genovese
On Sunday 12th March, I met with a small punnet of four other vegan runners bright and early to take on the challenge of achieving the FKT for running the Forest Way route out and back (30km) in the “supported” category. Joined by the Vegan Runners’ mascot Bronywn Broccoli, Alberto, Beno and I were met by Helen and Bronwyn who had impressively completed a pre-run 5km warm up. The weather was perfect – cool and windless with the promise of some sunshine along the way. We set off from East Grinstead at a comfortable 6:30 mins/km (9.23km/hr) pace which meant we could run and chat as we went. Having never run in a group before, never attempted anything further than 21km and only ever adopted a pacing strategy of going as fast as I could, running like this was a whole new experience.
The route begins with a short, downhill tarmac path which leads onto the forest trail; a wide, soft, earthy pathway lined with trees, woodland, rivers and grassland. Despite the trees still being leafless and little in the way of flowers it is still an absolutely beautiful route which I will definitely return to later in the year. Flat and easy, we chatted as we went and enjoyed the view. I found out that everyone else was training for a marathon and/or had completed many marathons around the world – something I had never even considered. Continuing down the forest trail, we crossed a couple of roads and had to turn right at one point to stay on the trail, but apart from that turn the route is literally straight down a single track and well sign-posted too, so it is almost impossible to get lost.
We passed other runners, cyclists and dog walkers along the way, all of whom greeted us with cheery “Good mornings”. We had arranged to meet with another vegan runner, Mike, along the way as he was going to join us for the second half – the “back” part of the trail - returning to East Grinstead from Groombridge. Mike found us as planned and accompanied us to the end of the trail where we took a couple of selfies and had some water and gels – another first for me as I had never taken either on a run before nor had I ever tried gels. After about ten minutes we headed back. Still at the same pace, still chatting. A walking couple we passed called out, “We’re vegan runners, too!” and admired Bronwyn.
Beno spotted some wild garlic which he foraged and stored in his runner’s vest, I spotted some frogs enjoying the Spring sunshine. By now we had about 10km to go and were beginning to spread out as a group. Bronwyn was keeping the steady pace as planned with Helen and Mike accompanying. Alberto took the lead and Beno followed closely behind shedding the occasional garlic leaf which left a trail of its delicious scent. By this stage I was beginning to get hungry and it was easy to imagine a range of (mainly pasta) dishes which could be enhanced by Beno's garlic. I was also starting to wish it was over as I was beginning to notice the physical stress of hunger as well as stomach cramps and nausea from the gels.
I caught up with Beno and Alberto just so that I could chat with them to mentally distract myself. Suddenly the end was in sight - but there was that tarmac hill! Bronwyn flew past me with their florets and steady pace with Helen and Mike in their wake. So I’m last, and finally it’s all over, the end. So many firsts, such a fantastic experience and a distance I would never have achieved without the wonderful Vegan Runners. Marathon? Go on, then.